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March is Women’s History Month. Nurturing artistic expression with an emphasis on women in history was the focus on a recent creative arts program at the Wiener Academy for Young Women at the WJCS Mary J. Blige Center in Yonkers. Westchester artist Hilary Blackman engaged participants in an inter-disciplinary art project that included discussions about inspirational Sheroes, including mothers and grandmothers, that overcame great odds. They also talked about their favorite female performers, politicians, activists, and professional women who accomplished “first female ever milestones.” These conversations prompted ideas about the value of identifying personal strengths, building self-confidence, and determination ...

Summer flew by for us all at WJCS! Despite the fast pace of the season, we were able to fit in some amazing volunteer events. And, there's even more planned for this fall! This July, we received 500 backpacks, provided through Supplies for Success and packed by UJA-Federation Westchester for the annual WJCS Back-to-School Drive. In June, volunteers participating in Deloitte's Impact Day assisted ParentChild+ staff at Hartley Park. And, just this past weekend, volunteers got to work on a beautification project at a WJCS community residence as part of Volunteer NY's Serve & Remember 9/11 campaign.Didn't have the chance to volunteer ...

The WJCS Board of Directors is fully committed to upholding the values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as well as other essential standards of integrity. Here is the WJCS's Board's statement of values, followed by the WJCS Board's statement of commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.   The Board of Westchester Jewish Community Services embraces the following values: We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and are committed to building a board that represents our served communities. We believe that all people have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, respect, and compassion. We look for places to ...

It was with great sadness that we received the news of the passing of Victor Hershaft. WJCS Board President Bruce Freyer captured what a huge loss this is for our community and how grateful we are to Victor for his many contributions. Here are Bruce's words, ones that resonate in all our hearts: Victor was, without doubt, the consummate board member. He assumed his position back in 2003, with passion, dedication, and unbounded commitment to WJCS. Victor brought insight and substantive input to every meeting. He had a keen sense of the aims and purpose of WJCS and he ...

The 2022 WJCS Back-to-School Drive has concluded and we're happy to report that it's been a big success! Through the generosity of WJCS donors and our non-profit partners, UJA Westchester and Supplies for Success, we have been able to help 1,300 children in under-resourced communities in Westchester, start school equipped for a successful academic year. We have supplied young children in WJCS programs with brand new backpacks and school supplies, plus a $20 gift card to purchase a new first-day-of-school outfit. Thanks to Order Out of Chaos for donating school year planners which are being distributed to our tween ...